UK Opposition Parties outline potential Defence Spending Cuts

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable and Shadow Chancellor George Osborne have both highlighted potential defence spending cuts should their parties come to power. In a pamphlet for the think tank Reform, Cable identified nine ideas for budget savings, which included scrapping the Trident nuclear missile system as well as other defence procurement programmes including tranche three of the Eurofighter aircraft. Osborne, following a speech at a conference organised by the Spectator magazine, echoed Cable in citing the Eurofighter project and also identified the project to build 2 new aircraft carriers and a £2.7 billion order for 25 A400 transport aircraft as specific potential savings.

Whether these statements amount to anything more than political posturing in the run up to the general election remains to be seen. However, such statements will likely increase the pressure for a rigorous 2010 defence spending review following the general election. Whilst the scrapping of 'white elephant’ defence projects is welcome, any savings should not just be absorbed by the spending deficit, but go hand in hand with a realignment of spending that contributes towards tackling the route causes of global insecurity that are highlighted on this site.